84,488,480 programs installed

Should I remove PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus?

What percent of users and experts removed it?
12% remove it88% keep it
Overall Sentiment
Good
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #41,293
United States Rank #28,113
Reach 0.0023%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 39.62 days
1168.80 days >
Average installed length: 614.12 days

Versions

VersionDistribution
9.0 100.00%

Other programs by PC Tools Software

PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 9.0

What is PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus?  (from PC Tools Software)

PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus detects and stops the latest and most malicious forms of viruses and spyware. Integrating multiple layers of protection, it stops and blocks these types of malware, no matter how they try to attack and infect your PC. Whether you are surfing, shopping, socializing, sharing, or ban...  Read more

Overview

PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 9.0 is a software program developed by PC Tools Software. During setup, the program creates a startup registration point in Windows in order to automatically start when any user boots the PC. Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. A scheduled task is added to Windows Task Scheduler in order to launch the program at various scheduled times (the schedule varies depending on the version). When installed, it will add a context menu handler to the Windows shell in order to provide quick access to the program. The programs's main executable is pctsgui.exe and has been seen to consume an average CPU of less than one percent, and utilizes about 40.69 MB of memory. The setup package generally installs about 59 files and is usually about 598.4 MB (627,468,801 bytes). Relative to the overall usage of users who have this installed on their PCs, most are running Windows 7 (SP1) and Windows Vista (SP2). While about 78% of users of PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus come from the United States, it is also popular in United Kingdom and Australia.

Program detailsProgram details

URL: www.pctools.com/en
Help link: www.pctools.com/en/contact/support/product/spyware-doctor-antivirus
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\PC Tools\PC Tools Security\
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\PC Tools\PC Tools Security\unins000.exe /LOG
Estimated size: 598.4 MB

Program filesFiles installed by PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 9.0

Program executable:pctsgui.exe
Name:PC Tools Security Component
Signed by:PC Tools
Path:C:\Program Files\pc tools\pc tools security\pctsgui.exe
MD5:69b69c7e3dccd36a9931687f08a7b638
PC Tools Security which offers protection from online threats, is regularly updated, and even includes some useful extras like Web site ratings, phishing alerts, and spyware, adware and malware protection.
Additional files:
  • InnoHelpers.dll - InnoHelpers Dynamic Link Library
  • InnoUtils.dll - InnoUtils Dynamic Link Library
  • pctMigrate.dll - Migration Dynamic Link Library
  • PCTMime.dll - PCTMime Dynamic Link Library
  • sdwvhlp.dll - sdwvhlp Dynamic Link Library (Spyware Doctor Helper)
  • AntiSpamGUI.ISPlugin.dll - PC Tools Security Component
  • BH.dll
  • BH2.dll
  • cdialogs.dll
  • commhlpr.dll
  • commlib.dll
  • commom.dll
  • filehlpr.dll
  • FirewallGUI.ISPlugin.dll
  • inethlpr.dll
  • PCTSFiles.exe
  • pctsSvc.exe
  • PCTWSC.dll - PCTWSC Dynamic Link Library
  • PDialogs.dll
  • PWindow.dll
  • RegHelper.dll
  • sdcore.dll
  • sdinvoker.exe
  • SH.dll
  • pcttMD3.exe - Malware Detective Wizard
  • Alert.exe - PC Tools Smart Alert
  • Sqlite3DB.dll - Sqlite3 DB Interface
  • pcttisoburner.exe - PC Tools ISO burner (PC Tools ISO Burner)
  • commlib32.dll - Spyware Doctor (Spyware Doctor Component)
  • commlib64.dll
  • SDContextExt32.dll
  • SDContextExt64.dll
  • SDNetPlugin.dll - PC Tools SDNet
  • smum32.dll
  • smum64.dll
  • bdinstall.exe - Browser Guard (Browser Guard Setup)
  • pcttFixTool.dll - pcttFixTool
  • pcttregtool.exe - pcttregtool (File and Registry tool)
  • English.dll - PCTResGen (PCTUI Raw DLL)
  • libkumo.dll
  • PCTGMhk.dll
  • pctsAuxs.exe - PC Tools Auxiliary Service
  • PCTSDDLL.dll - PC Tools SD Driver Interface
  • sdloader.exe - sdloader application (PC Tools)
  • libeay32.dll (by The OpenSSL Project, http://www.openssl.org/) - The OpenSSL Toolkit (OpenSSL Shared Library)
  • drvctl.exe (by PCTools Research) - Driver Control Utility

Program behaviorsBehaviors exhibited

2 Context Menu Handlers
  • SDContextExt64.dll added to Windows Explorer under the name 'SDContextExt' with a class of {70F8E90E-353A-47AB-B297-C576345EE693}.
  • SDContextExt32.dll added to Windows Explorer under the name 'SDContextExt' with a class of {70F8E90E-353A-47AB-B297-C576345EE693}.
Scheduled Task
  • pctsGui.exe is scheduled as a task with the class '{54FA7E7E-AA49-4554-A7BA-BAB3C1CCD254}' (runs on registration).
3 Services
  • PCTSFiles.exe runs as a service named 'PCTSFileEnum' (PCTSFileEnum).
  • pctsSvc.exe runs as a service named 'PC Tools Security Service' (sdCoreService) "Provides spyware and malware protection for the system. If this service is disabled spyware protection will be disabled.".
  • pctsAuxs.exe runs as a service named 'PC Tools Auxiliary Service' (sdAuxService) "Provides auxiliary PC Tools Security services. If this service is disabled spyware protection will be reduced.".
Startup File (All Users Run)
  • pctsGui.exe is loaded in the all users (HKLM) registry as a startup file name 'ISTray' which loads as "C:\Program Files\PC Tools\PC Tools Security\pctsGui.exe" /hideGUI.
Network connections
  • pctsSvc.exe connects to 108.168.150.46-static.reverse.softlayer.com (108.168.150.46 port 80).
  • pctsSvc.exe connects to 143.127.102.31 (port 443).

Program resource utilizationResource utilization averages

pctsgui.exe
Memory:40.69 MB
21.09 MB average
Total CPU:0.0389473852%
0.031193% average
Kernel CPU:0.03597336%
0.016088% average
User CPU:0.00297403%
0.015104% average
pctsSvc.exe
Memory:208.44 MB
Total CPU:0.0397194323%
Kernel CPU:0.01426288%
User CPU:0.02545655%
pctsAuxs.exe
Memory:1.29 MB
Total CPU:0.0002100269%
Kernel CPU:0.00001454%
User CPU:0.00019549%
CPU cycles/sec:881,202
I/O reads/min:0 Bytes
I/O writes/min:0 Bytes

How do I remove PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus?

You can uninstall PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
  1. On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
    • Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
  2. When you find the program PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus 9.0, click it, and then do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
    • Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
  3. Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus.

OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 51%
Win XP 2%
 
HOW IT STARTS
Automatically starts? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
 
USER ACTIONS
Uninstall it 12%
Keep it 88%

Windows OS versionsWindows

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 66.67%
Windows Vista 24.44%
Windows XP 8.89%
Which OS releases does it run on?
Windows 7 Home Premium 44.44%
Windows Vista Home Premiu... 17.78%
Windows 7 Ultimate 13.33%
Microsoft Windows XP 8.89%
Windows 7 Professional 8.89%
Windows Vista Business 2.22%

Distribution by countryGeography

77.61% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
  United States 77.61%
  United Kingdom 7.46%
  Australia 4.48%
  Belgium 1.49%
  Israel 1.49%
  Netherlands 1.49%
  Peru 1.49%
  Slovakia 1.49%
  Taiwan 1.49%
  South Africa 1.49%

OEM distributionPC manufacturers

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Hewlett-Packard 24.39%
Acer 21.95%
Dell 19.51%
ASUS 9.76%
Samsung 4.88%
Lenovo 4.88%
American Megatrends 4.88%
Toshiba 2.44%
Sony 2.44%
Medion 2.44%
GIGABYTE 2.44%
Common models
HP-Pavilion FK790AA-ABA m... 5.26%
TOSHIBA Satellite A305 2.63%
Sony VGN-FW21M 2.63%
Sony PCV-RZ40C1B(UC) 2.63%
Samsung R610 2.63%
MSI MS-7586 2.63%

About PC Tools Software

PC Tools, a subsidiary of Symantec Corporation, develops security utilities for consumers and enterprises whose products include Spyware Doctor which provides spyware protection to secure Windows personal computers, Registry Mechanic, a registry cleaner to fix Windows errors, PC Tools AntiVirus which offers protection against virus infections and File Recover, which recovers files from hard drives, floppy drives, and fixed media.
Publisher URL: www.pctools.com

commentsComments

user comment
No one has commented yet. Help others learn more about this software, share your comments.